Josh has a plan: get through uni with a good degree and no debt. Focused on his goals, he pays his way by working as an escort. He enjoys the no-strings sex because he doesn’t have time for a relationship. Falling in love definitely isn’t part of the deal—especially not with a client.

When Rupert meets Josh in a bar, he’s smitten on sight. He’s never paid for sex, but when Josh propositions him, he can’t resist. He should’ve known one night would never be enough. Luckily for him he has an inheritance to fund his addiction to Josh, because his job in IT support wouldn’t cover the cost.

With each encounter the lines get blurred, creating something that feels more like a relationship than a business transaction. But they come from different worlds, and to go from client-and-escort to lovers seems impossible. If they want a future together, Josh and Rupert have a lot to overcome.

Like a Lover is ridiculously HAWT. When I read Jay Northcote, I know I can count on sweet, low angst stories featuring British boys falling in love. Somewhat reluctantly. This one, though? This one has all that but with extra scorch. Seriously, I thought I was running a fever for a bit there.

We first met Josh in Helping Hand. He’s the gay housemate that helped Jez and Mac get their collective shit together. Anyway, Josh is a rentboy. He doesn’t exactly come from money, and he wants an education, so that he can get a good job and not be like either of his parents. He could take loans that he’d be paying off forever, or he could opt for a more profitable and potentially fun job of sex for cash. Door number 2, please, Monty. Heh, that pun was completely unintended, but I’m going with it.

While waiting for a client in a bar, one night, Josh spies a hot ginger, who also seemed to be waiting for someone. When it was clear that they both got stood up, Josh introduces himself. They talk and when the conversation turns to sex, Josh is honest with Rupert about the fact it will cost him. Rupert, only a little reluctantly, agrees, because he wants to spend time with Josh. And, the thrill of paying for it turned him on. Big time.

And thus starts a beautiful and HAWT business relationship, where the lines definitely got blurred, until the boundaries were completely gone. There’s very little drama or angst here and it worked. I found myself completely drawn in and I adored both Josh and Rupert and wanted nothing more than for the two of them to take what they found in each other and run with it. And, worry not, there is no on page sex with any of Josh’s other clients. I am quite thankful we did not have to suffer through that.

Like a Lover is not like most rentboy stories I’ve read. This one is so damn sweet and hot and had the best HEA. Read it. You know you want to.